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Expat Matters
Should The I.R.S. Have the Right to Seize Your Passport and Prohibit Your Travel Plans? Vote HerePosted on May 11, 2012 by International Living
A worrying new bill just passed the Senate on March 14, 2012. It’s called the “Moving Ahead for Progress in the 21st Century Act.” (MAP-21). And it could give the I.R.S. the power to take your passport and prevent you from traveling outside the U.S. if they claim you owe money on your taxes…
IL Radio Episode 32: Panama—Your Residency and Visa Issues AnsweredPosted on May 10, 2012 by Dan Prescher
When you talk about Panama, you’ll often find that you’re talking about all the things that make a place a tropical paradise. Panama is hugely popular with U.S. and Canadian expats, and for good reasons. But like any place else, having experienced legal help on your side is critical, even in Paradise.
One Way to Get Immediate Residency in PanamaPosted on May 9, 2012 by Robert Bauman
The Panamanian side of the Darién is dominated by deep valleys, rivers and a 6,000-foot-high mountain peak. You won’t find much else here. Starbucks hasn’t made it, and there’s no Home Depot. This is frontier country. But you will find an open door to immediate residency in Panama, along with a chance for profitable investing.
Move to Uruguay for the Best Quality of Life in Latin AmericaPosted on May 1, 2012 by Suzan Haskins
As in European cities or neighborhoods of Manhattan or Chicago, whatever I need or want can be had within these 10 square blocks of Montevideo. I was just getting started on my expedition to Uruguay’s coastal cities and towns, but already I could understand why so many expats living in this country say it offers the best quality of life in Latin America.
Pulling the Plug on PanamaPosted on April 19, 2012 by Suzan Haskins
There’s a little mountain town in the interior of Panama where you can still buy a home or a large parcel of land next to a gurgling river. It’s likely this land will have waterfalls and hiking trails on it…you’ll see wild parrots and toucans and flowers of every tropical variety and color. The tall grass waving in the breeze will be so green, it would make even the Irish envious…
Baring All in PanamaPosted on April 18, 2012 by Suzan Haskins
Today Al took us on a virtual tour of Panama City—his typical day. Paying his housekeeper, going to the bank, out to lunch, paying bills, to the movies… Al and Carmen own a three-bedroom, three-bath condo on the 14th floor with a bay and city view. This area is now the “Beverly Hills of Panama City,” Al said.
Panama: Don’t Believe Everything You Read on the InternetPosted on April 17, 2012 by Suzan Haskins
It’s good to be back in Panama, the tiny country on the southern edge of the northern hemisphere, one of the only countries to bridge two continents… and the only country in the world where you can see the sun rise over the Pacific Ocean and set on the Atlantic. Did you know that? If not, don’t worry…there are so many things unique to Panama that it’s hard to track them all. For instance… Panama is the only country in Central America with no hurricanes and no destructive earthquakes.
The Most-Asked Tax Question (and the Surprising Answer)Posted on April 11, 2012 by Nick Hodges
We all look for ways to minimize our U.S. tax bill and maximize our freedom abroad. We all desire to simplify our tax and reporting responsibilities. We want to think less about taxes…and enjoy more of our international experience. The promise of the foreign earned income exclusion (FEIE) is that you can earn as much as $95,100 in foreign income and not pay a dime of U.S. income tax on it.
IL Radio Episode 31: Expat Tax TipsPosted on March 29, 2012 by Dan Prescher
I’m Dan Prescher for International Living, and this week I’m talking to Nick Hodges—a guy who specializes in helping U.S. expats navigate the minefield of rules and regulations and properly file their taxes no matter where in the world they live or what their financial situation is.
Eight Ways to Avoid Buying Overpriced PropertyPosted on March 28, 2012 by Margaret Summerfield
Buying a home overseas is not as easy as buying in your own home country. So how do you figure out if you’re paying a fair market value for your overseas home? Follow these steps.
Live Better For Less OverseasPosted on March 3, 2012 by Dan Prescher
The idea of living better for less overseas has been around for a long time. So long, in fact, that there are a surprising number of people doing it right now. As a constant participant in International Living’s events, I notice this surprise on the faces of attendees every time we do a seminar or conference.
Safety, Prosperity, Freedom – Welcome to Your New HomePosted on March 1, 2012 by Suzan Haskins
When it comes to living the expat life, there is only one candidate that deserves your vote: You. As your own commander in chief, you can live wherever you like and by your own set of rules. I’m Suzan Haskins and I’m writing to you this week from Cancun, Mexico, and the International Living Ultimate Event 2012.
Last Chance to Listen…Posted on March 1, 2012 by Suzan Haskins
“This is my first time,” a pretty lady named Jos confided to me. She lives in a beautiful home overlooking the ocean on Australia’s western coast. “I love my home and I have no complaints with my life there,” she said. “But my husband has been working and living in Vanuatu (a gorgeous South Pacific island) for five years…and he has wanderlust.
Move Overseas: How to Fast Track Your PlansPosted on February 29, 2012 by Suzan Haskins
Where in the world shall we go today? If you’ve been dreaming of Belize, Costa Rica, Mexico, Ecuador, or the Dominican Republic (wow!), come on—let’s go. I’d like to take you on a whirlwind tour of these countries. With only the best, most knowledgeable (and most entertaining) guides, of course. I’m Suzan Haskins, reporting to you from International Living’s Ultimate Event, going on now in Cancun.
What Life Overseas Really Looks LikePosted on February 24, 2012 by Jennifer Stevens
Skeptics inquire: Are the opportunities overseas really as great as we at IL portray them to be? The short answer is “yes.” But don’t take my word for it… Listen, instead, to the many firsthand stories we’ve collected in the current issue of International Living magazine—on-the-ground reports from folks who decided to answer the question for themselves…at the beach…in the hills…in cities…or on islands…
Murcia: Home of Spain’s Winter SunPosted on February 21, 2012 by Steenie Harvey
Firmly in Spain’s sunny south, between Andalusia and Valencia, Murcia is one of the country’s autonomous regions that gets overlooked in the dash elsewhere— usually farther south to the Costa del Sol or north to the Costa Blanca.
Mountain Village Panamanian LifePosted on February 15, 2012 by Jessica Ramesch
A man with his own private zoo…a Dutch transplant with a penchant for black and white movies…and a former builder who just wanted to make the region’s best burger. They all have one thing in common: The tiny mountain hideaway in Panama they now call home. Veraguas is a massive tract of land—the only province in Panama to touch both the Pacific and Caribbean coasts.
Why You Should Consider Moving Your Assets OffshorePosted on February 9, 2012 by Robert Bauman
As a lawyer for many decades now, I know how important it is to read and understand what you read. I also know from experience that Americans have been bombarded for years by class warfare politicians attacking wealthy people as if success in life was a crime.
Enjoy Freedom, Opportunity, and Adventure When You Move OverseasPosted on January 24, 2012 by Glynna Prentice
Five years into my expat life, I look forward to downsizing. In fact, I recently bought a small, manageable, lock-and-leave property in Guanajuato, in the Colonial Highlands. It’s a far cry from what I thought I wanted when I first moved to Mexico… Then, I’d wanted a good-sized house, instead of an apartment as I’d had in the U.S.
The Tips, Tricks and Secrets to Retiring OverseasPosted on January 23, 2012 by Dan Prescher
When my wife, Suzan Haskins, and I moved overseas in 2001, we had no idea how much we didn’t know about living abroad. But we learned quickly. I still remember trying to figure out the nuts and bolts of Spanish hardware…literally.
Get a Safe Deposit Box OverseasPosted on January 18, 2012 by Robert Bauman
A safe deposit box is just a lockable metal box or drawer, inside a bank or private vault, which is used for safely storing your valuables. And the annual rent for a safe deposit box can be as little as $500. On a traditional safe deposit box there are two different keys, both of which must be used to open the box. One key (usually two copies of it) is given to you as the box renter.
Cutting-Edge Wealth ProtectionPosted on January 16, 2012 by Robert Bauman
These islands are an independent country joined in “free association” with New Zealand. It has its own government and court system, the New Zealand dollar is the local currency, and it definitely qualifies as what used to be called a “tax haven,” now replaced by the politically correct term “offshore financial center.” Fifteen in all, their beaches are of white-powdered sands, the waters aquamarine and turquoise, and the climate ideal.
The Best Retiree Benefits in the World in 2012Posted on January 10, 2012 by International Living
There are a number of special benefits, discounts and breaks you can gain access to as a retiree overseas. Some countries stand out for the amount and quality of benefits they offer foreign retirees. Panama tops the category with an organized program of discounts and perks called the pensionado. The program is open to foreigners and there’s no minimum age requirement.
Expat 101: Overseas Finances Made EasyPosted on January 5, 2012 by Suzan Haskins
If you’re a U.S. citizen you’ll never be able to walk away from the dollar completely—even if you move overseas. Likewise if you’re a Canadian or citizen of another country—it’s hard to totally divorce yourself from your national currency. Here are two reasons why…
The World’s Top Retirement Havens in 2012Posted on December 31, 2011 by International Living
Look at the right places beyond our borders today, and you’ll find you have more good choices than ever for a comfortable – even a pampered – retirement. In any one of our top 19 havens for 2012, a lifestyle well beyond your reach in the States could be yours for pennies on the dollar. In this, our annual Global Retirement Index, we bring you the top choices available on the planet today.
Solid Advice About Moving OverseasPosted on December 27, 2011 by Dan Prescher
Years ago we’d talk confidently about the benefits of Mexico versus Argentina…or Ecuador versus Costa Rica. I’m finding that we don’t do that as much these days.
The Problem With These IL Countries is…Posted on December 21, 2011 by Suzan Haskins
It’s impossible to compare and contrast the merits or disadvantages of entire countries. It’s not because there aren’t differences between entire countries… there are obvious and, sometimes, major ones. The visa choices and requirements of Belize may be a better match for you than those of Nicaragua. Panama’s tax laws may meet your needs better than those of Costa Rica right now.
The World’s Best Retirement HavensPosted on December 20, 2011 by anon
Look at the right places beyond our borders today, and you’ll find you have more good choices than ever for a comfortable – even a pampered – retirement. In any one of our top 19 havens for 2012, a lifestyle well beyond your reach in the States could be yours for pennies on the dollar.
The Overseas Cell Phone FixPosted on October 27, 2011 by Lee Harrison
When traveling abroad with an eye toward retiring or buying a second home, you’re going to need a local phone number. This allows you to make inexpensive local calls while you’re overseas. And, just as importantly, it allows local people to call you.
Caribbean Beach Bargains in the Dominican RepublicPosted on October 17, 2011 by Len Galvin
Columbus landed in the Dominican Republic in 1492—the same year he “discovered” some of the other Caribbean islands. Like those other islands, the Dominican Republic is ringed by white sand beaches and coconut palms. Unspoiled towns boast stone churches and candy-colored home facades.
Take Back the Retirement You DeservePosted on October 15, 2011 by Len Galvin
Timing is critical when it comes to rescuing your retirement. Now more than ever, hard-working folks just like you are asking themselves: How do I do it? Do I work longer, try to save more… or do I have another option? Our response: You have lots of options.
Shock Announcement About the Easiest Place to RetirePosted on October 10, 2011 by Lee Harrison
Choosing a destination that’s easy to retire in can often mean missing out on the wonder, awe and adventure of a new land and a new beginning.
Spend as Much Time as You Want in Your 2 Favorite CitiesPosted on September 27, 2011 by Marsha Swan
I’ve always loved to travel, so when I had to decide between the freedom of working for myself…and the stability of a full-time job, it was no contest—I quit. Since then, I get to travel more-or-less whenever I want. I’ve spent lots of time in Paris, France and am still based in one of my favorite cities: Dublin, Ireland. (Plus, I only work about 30 hours a week.)
IL’s Calendar of Events: Ecuador…Costa Rica…Las VegasPosted on August 22, 2011 by International Living
Winner of the 2011 Global Retirement Index, Ecuador offers sophisticated historical cities…miles of unspoiled, sun-kissed beaches…fertile farmland…and temperate mountain hideaways…and all of it for pennies on the dollar.
A Victim of My Own AnalysisPosted on August 22, 2011 by Lee Harrison
International Living’s Retirement Index always brings back fond memories of my own analysis that preceded my first move abroad. My means of choosing a country back then was simple. I only studied the categories on the Index that were important to me and threw out the countries that didn’t score well in those areas. Cost of living was high on my list…as were climate and real estate. I didn’t particularly care about the ratings for political stability, or the ability to get half-price movie tickets.
Overseas Retirement Made Easy and AffordablePosted on August 16, 2011 by Eoin Bassett
What makes a place “easy?” First, it’s not too far from home. If you need to get back for an emergency or friends and family want to visit, it’s not a chore. When you can still get many of the same goods and services you’re used to, culture shock won’t disorient you.
Video: Need-to-Know Health Insurance Tips in PanamaPosted on August 10, 2011 by Jessica Ramesch
International Living Panama editor, Jessica Ramesch, talks to Kevin Bradley of Ducruet, who has been an insurance professional in Panama for decades. In this video, he and his business partner Gonzalo discuss health insurance tips that could save you valuable time and money.
Belize Uncensored: The VideoPosted on August 4, 2011 by Len Galvin
International Living editors Dan Prescher and Suzan Haskins have just returned from a two-week, in-depth exploration of Belize. They covered every inch of this English-speaking Caribbean playground, from the mountains to the mainland to the islands. From popular cayes to beautiful, low-cost alternatives. In fact, they’ve been coming to Belize for almost 20 years.
Fund Your Dream Life: Teach English OverseasPosted on July 23, 2011 by Glynna Prentice
Libby Rush is finishing up a year teaching English at a small foreign language school in Campeche, Mexico. It’s been “a wonderful experience,” she says—and she’s already considering where she may teach next. Ecuador, Honduras and Nicaragua are on her short list—as are some other cities in Mexico.
“I Reinvented Myself in Spain…”Posted on July 21, 2011 by Barry OLeary
In 2003 I was working as a sales representative in London, but I was restless and unhappy. Deep down I knew life was about more than just money and I was curious to learn about other cultures so I did a course in TEFL (Teaching English as a Foreign Language).
